D7000 AF fine tune (-16) & 35mm f/1.8

[JohnnyRebel]

Since I upgraded from the D40 to the D7000 I have not used my 35mm 1.8 lens very much. Playing around with it yesterday, I noticed that it just was not very sharp when viewing at 100%. I don't remember this being the case with the D40.

So, playing around with the Af fine tune, it seems that (-16) greatly improves the sharpness. This seems like a lot.

When I bought my Tam 17-50, I sent it in for calibration right off just based on reviews of the lens. It is very sharp with no adjustments to AF fine tune. The same goes for my old AF-D 28-85 and 70-210 when used on the D7000.

Should I send the lens in to Nikon for recalibration (it still has more than two years left under warranty), or is this sort of adjustment really not that unusual?

JR

 

[kbp]

If I where to get to +/- 10 I would send it in. Although you can save this profile for this lens on the D7000.
This link has a GREAT book on setting up and using the D7000. Check it out -
http://www.bythom.com/

 

[JohnnyRebel]

If I where to get to +/- 10 I would send it in. Although you can save this profile for this lens on the D7000.
This link has a GREAT book on setting up and using the D7000. Check it out -
http://www.bythom.com/

Thx. I'll check it out. Most of my shooting is with large dof @ about f4-f8 of groups of people and so I didn't really notice this until last night when I was taking a bunch of snaps around my office (the equivalent of dry-firing in the shooting world) and noticed that items behind my target were clearer than the target itself.

JR

 

[Anteaus]

Also check out what modes your using for focusing. I was very unhappy with similar issues from my last trip, with numerous photos being slightly out of focus. I learned this lesson the hard way, with many pictures from my last trip being slightly out of focus where it was completely avoidable. Assuming you have adequate DOF,try using single point on someone that is mid DOF. I find the camera can give mixed results if you let it choose AF points to use. Also, avoid AF-C unless you really need it. After doing that and managing proper DOF the number of keepers with my 35mm 1.8G skyrocketed.

At f5 the DOF can still get you in trouble if your not far enough back. Anyways, it sounds like it may very well be your lens. I just wanted to offer some suggestions. Good luck!